AGP Executive Report

AI in Education: UNESCO and Codemao are pushing AI and coding training across Africa, using a train-the-trainer model that already reached over 200 teachers from the Republic of Congo and other countries. Ebola Response Tech: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is getting a boost from mobile laboratories in eastern hotspots, helping speed up testing and care. Data Infrastructure: Republic of Congo targets a late-2026 launch for a delayed national data centre, aiming to strengthen digital capacity. Space & Learning: A SpaceX rideshare mission put Kyrgyzstan’s first Earth-observation satellite and Kazakhstan’s student-built PocketQube into orbit, highlighting hands-on space education. Science Ethics: New laser-based mapping of tropical forests can reveal hidden communities, raising privacy and consent concerns for researchers. Regional Energy & Trade: Russia and the Republic of Congo signed a 2026–2028 cooperation plan covering energy infrastructure and digital development, while Central African finance leaders meet in Bangui to push deal-making. Biodiversity Update: Scientists confirmed a new penguin species after 100 years, underscoring how genetics keeps reshaping wildlife maps.

AI Education: UNESCO and Codemao are expanding AI and coding training across Africa using a train-the-trainer model, with over 200 teachers from the Republic of the Congo among early participants. Ebola Response Tech: Mobile laboratories are being deployed to support Congo’s devastating Ebola outbreak, bringing faster testing closer to hot spots. Digital Government: Liberia is pushing a real-time education data system (EMIS) with a central dashboard to track attendance and indicators—an approach Congo could learn from as it modernizes public data. Space & Learning: A SpaceX rideshare mission launched two Central Asian spacecraft into orbit, including a student-built satellite—another reminder that low-cost space tech can grow local skills. Energy & Cooperation: Russia and the Republic of Congo signed a 2026–2028 cooperation plan covering energy infrastructure and digital development, with projects also flagged in agriculture, healthcare, and transport. Local Tech Infrastructure: Republic of Congo targets a late-2026 launch for a delayed national data centre.

Ebola Response Tech: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is getting a boost from mobile laboratories in eastern hotspots like Butembo, where teams process blood samples on the ground to speed up testing and care. Forest Mapping Ethics: New laser-scanning mapping can “see” beneath tropical forests, but researchers warn it raises privacy and community risks—pushing a debate over whether some forests should be mapped at all. Digital Education Systems: Liberia is moving toward a real-time education data system (EMIS), aiming for a central dashboard to track attendance and act faster instead of waiting for end-of-term reports. Congo–Russia Cooperation: The Republic of Congo and Russia signed a 2026–2028 plan covering energy infrastructure, digital development, industry, transport, agriculture, science, education, and culture. Space & Learning: A SpaceX launch put two Central Asian satellites into orbit, including Kyrgyzstan’s Earth-observation nanosatellite and a student-built Kazakhstan PocketQube—another sign that space tech is spreading through education. Tourism AI Push (Congo): Brazzaville is betting on digital platforms and AI to lift tourism’s GDP share from 3% toward nearly 10%.

Tourism Tech Push: Brazzaville is betting on digital platforms and artificial intelligence to lift tourism’s GDP share from 3% to nearly 10%, framing AI as the way to compete in a “war of destinations.” Ebola Lab Support: A report highlights how mobile laboratories are helping respond to Congo’s devastating Ebola outbreak, bringing testing closer to hot spots. Congo–Russia Cooperation: The Republic of Congo and Russia signed a 2026–2028 plan covering energy infrastructure, exploration, and digital development, plus work in industry, transport, agriculture, science, education, and culture. Education Data Modernization: Liberia’s Ministry of Education is moving toward a real-time education data system (EMIS) with a central dashboard to track attendance and indicators faster—an approach Congo could learn from. Space & Earth Observation: Kyrgyzstan’s nanosatellite launch shows how small satellites can support agriculture and drought monitoring, a reminder of the growing value of local Earth-observation capacity. Energy Deals in the Region: Bangui Financial Days and CEMAC Bankers’ Days bring lenders and regulators together to push financing into infrastructure, agriculture, value chains, and SMEs across Central Africa.

Ebola Response Tech: Mobile laboratories are bringing faster Ebola testing to Butembo, where teams prepare blood samples on-site, aiming to cut delays in a fast-moving outbreak. Digital Education Systems: Liberia’s education ministry is pushing a real-time Education Management Information System, with a central dashboard to track attendance and indicators so officials can act sooner. Congo-Russia Cooperation: The Republic of the Congo and Russia have started work under a 2026–2028 plan covering energy infrastructure, digital development, industry, transport, agriculture, science, education, and culture. Tourism + AI Push: Brazzaville is betting on digital platforms and artificial intelligence to lift tourism’s GDP share and make the country more competitive in Central Africa. Space for Agriculture: Kyrgyzstan’s first nanosatellite is set for orbit on a SpaceX launch, designed to monitor crops and early drought signs—another reminder that Earth observation is becoming practical. Local Science Spotlight: A new penguin species has been confirmed after genetic work, showing how modern lab methods keep reshaping wildlife knowledge.

Ebola Response Tech: Congo’s outbreak keeps surging past 8,000 cases, and mobile laboratories in Butembo are bringing on-the-ground testing closer to patients. Digital Tourism Push: Brazzaville is betting on digital platforms and artificial intelligence to lift tourism’s GDP share from 3% toward 10%, aiming to make the country a top Central Africa destination. Space for Learning: A SpaceX rideshare launch put two Central Asian satellites into orbit, including Kyrgyzstan’s Earth-observation nanosatellite and a student-built Kazakhstan PocketQube—proof that small teams can still reach space. Energy & Trade Cooperation: Russia and the Republic of the Congo signed a 2026–2028 plan covering energy infrastructure, digital development, and cooperation across industry, transport, agriculture, science, and education. Finance for SMEs: Central African bankers and regulators meet in Bangui for the Bangui Financial Days and CEMAC Bankers’ Days, focusing on lending, cross-border payments, and getting funds to the real economy. Education Data Systems: Liberia’s Ministry of Education is drafting an EMIS policy to move from periodic reporting to real-time school dashboards. Tourism Infrastructure Context: Cameroon’s Kribi deep-sea port story highlights how major maritime projects can reshape regional logistics and industry.

Ebola Response: In Congo’s eastern outbreak, mobile labs in Butembo are helping teams test blood samples faster, but routine care is still collapsing—ACAPS reports seven essential health services fell 42% in major Ebola hotspots, with childhood vaccination down by more than half. Science & Nature: A new National Geographic series, Africa: Earth’s Wild Home, highlights wildlife behavior “never filmed before,” including a dwarf crocodile hunting bats in total darkness. Bilateral Tech & Energy: Russia and the Republic of the Congo signed a 2026–2028 cooperation plan covering energy infrastructure, exploration, and digital development, with talks also touching industry, transport, agriculture, science, education, and culture. Local Digital Systems: Liberia’s education ministry is pushing a real-time school data system (EMIS) to track attendance and indicators via a central dashboard—an approach Congo policymakers may watch closely. Tourism Tech Push: Brazzaville is betting on digital platforms and AI to lift tourism’s GDP share from 3% toward nearly 10%. Space for Agriculture: Kyrgyzstan plans to launch a domestically built nanosatellite to monitor crops and drought risk—another sign space tech is moving toward practical farming needs.

Congo-Russia Energy Talks: The Republic of Congo and Russia kicked off an intergovernmental commission in Brazzaville, with officials pointing to a 2026–2028 cooperation plan covering energy, agriculture, healthcare, transport, and more. Ebola’s Tech-Health Shock: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is disrupting routine care, with essential health services down sharply in hotspot areas and vaccination and maternity services hit hard. Tourism Meets AI: Brazzaville says it wants to use digital platforms and artificial intelligence to boost tourism and raise the sector’s GDP share from 3% toward 10%. Local Data Systems: Liberia’s education ministry is pushing for a real-time school data system to speed decisions—an approach Congo policymakers may watch as they modernize education management. Space for Agriculture: Kyrgyzstan’s mini satellite launch aims to monitor crops and detect drought early, a reminder that low-cost space tools are spreading beyond big space powers. Regional Finance Forum: Central African bankers and investors are gathering in Bangui to turn financing debates into signed deals across the CEMAC zone, including the Republic of Congo.

Ebola Response: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still hitting everyday care hard, with use of seven essential health services down 42% in major hotspots and childhood vaccination falling by more than half, as fear and hospital pressure disrupt routine services. Digital Infrastructure: The Republic of Congo is targeting a late-2026 launch for a delayed national data centre, with officials saying a Chinese contractor has assured schedule completion after earlier setbacks. Tourism Tech Push: Brazzaville is betting on digital platforms and artificial intelligence to grow tourism and lift its GDP share from 3% toward nearly 10%, framing AI as the way to boost visibility and competitiveness. Education Data Systems: Liberia’s education ministry is moving toward a real-time school monitoring system via an Education Management Information System policy, aiming for a central dashboard to track attendance and respond faster. Space & Sensors: Kyrgyzstan plans to launch a domestically built nanosatellite for crop monitoring and early drought detection, showing how small satellites are spreading beyond traditional space powers. Science & Nature: A new penguin species has been confirmed for the first time in 100 years, with genetic work splitting gentoo penguins into multiple species.

Education Tech: Liberia’s Ministry of Education is pushing a real-time Education Management Information System (EMIS), aiming for a central dashboard to track student and teacher attendance and speed up interventions. Digital Tourism Push: Brazzaville is betting on AI and digital platforms to lift tourism’s GDP share from 3% toward nearly 10%, framing it as a “digital agenda” upgrade for Central Africa’s travel market. National Data Infrastructure: Republic of Congo targets a late-2026 launch for a delayed national data centre, with a Chinese contractor reportedly assuring schedule completion after setbacks. Science & Research Cooperation: An intergovernmental commission between Russia and the Republic of Congo began work in Brazzaville, with education, scientific research, energy and trade diversification on the agenda. Public Health Shock: Ebola in Congo is disrupting basic healthcare, with essential services down sharply in hotspot areas and childhood vaccination falling by more than half. Space for Agriculture: Kyrgyzstan’s mini satellite launch highlights a crop-and-drought monitoring model that could inspire similar regional tech ambitions.

Digital Tourism Push: Brazzaville says it wants to lift tourism’s GDP share from 3% to nearly 10%, betting on digital platforms and AI to boost the country’s global appeal. National Data Infrastructure: Republic of Congo targets a late-2026 launch for a delayed national data centre, with a Chinese contractor assuring schedule despite earlier setbacks. Ebola Disrupting Care: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has pushed routine healthcare off track, with essential services down 42% in major hotspots and childhood vaccination falling by more than half. Science & Tech Partnerships: An intergovernmental commission session between Russia and Congo began in Brazzaville, with both sides pointing to progress in education, scientific research, energy and hydrocarbons while urging practical trade and investment steps. Space Tech Spotlight: Kyrgyzstan plans to launch a domestically built nanosatellite for crop and drought monitoring, a reminder of how fast Earth-observation tech is spreading across regions. Health Tech Research: Turkish researchers are building a smartphone AI app to identify tick species and flag risks linked to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Digital Tourism Push: Brazzaville is betting on AI and digital platforms to lift tourism’s GDP share from 3% to nearly 10%, aiming to make Congo a top Central Africa destination. Ebola Disrupts Care: In Congo, routine healthcare is collapsing in Ebola hotspots, with essential services down 42% and childhood vaccinations falling by more than half as fear and hospital pressure rise. Data Centre Deadline: Republic of Congo targets a late-2026 launch for a delayed national data centre, with a Chinese contractor saying construction should finish on schedule. Russia–Congo Commission: An intergovernmental commission between Russia and Congo has started work in Brazzaville, focusing on trade diversification and cooperation in education, research, energy, and security. Wildlife Justice: A leopard-skin trafficking case is set for court hearings in Ewo, Cuvette-Ouest, involving seven accused people and protected wildlife trophies. Tech for Health (Global): Turkish researchers are building a smartphone AI app to identify tick species linked to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

UN Multilateralism vs Sovereignty: At the UN General Assembly, leaders pushed for cooperation but admitted trust is breaking down, with “multilateralism” colliding with national sovereignty. Congo Tech & Infrastructure: Republic of Congo targets a late-2026 launch for a delayed national data centre, with a Chinese contractor saying construction can still finish on schedule. Russia–Congo Cooperation: An intergovernmental commission session opened in Brazzaville, with both sides highlighting progress in education, scientific research, energy and hydrocarbons, and urging practical trade and investment strategies. Ebola Watch in Congo: A growing Ebola surge is overwhelming hospitals in North Kivu, keeping health system capacity in the spotlight. Wildlife Crime in Congo: A court in Ewo, Cuvette-Ouest is set to hear a leopard-skin trophy case involving seven accused people. AI for Public Health: Turkish researchers are building a smartphone AI app to identify tick species and flag those linked to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Climate & Forest Value: A new analysis puts potential drug value from tropical forests at up to $714B, with the Amazon estimated at $215B—while deforestation threatens to erase unknown medicines.

National Tech & Infrastructure: The Republic of Congo is targeting a late-2026 launch for its long-delayed national data centre, with a Chinese contractor (Sumec Group) reportedly assuring schedule completion after delays since 2024. Public Health & Tech for Health: The UN General Assembly is keeping pandemic preparedness on the agenda as Ebola surges in Congo’s North Kivu, where treatment centres in Butembo are overwhelmed and beds run out fast. Science, Nature & Medicine: A new analysis estimates tropical forests could hold up to $714B in potential value from undiscovered plant-based medicines, with the Amazon alone at about $215B—while deforestation threatens to erase compounds before they’re studied. AI in Agriculture & Health: Turkish researchers are building a smartphone AI app to identify tick species from photos and flag ticks linked to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, aiming for low-cost field use. Local Tech & Innovation: Kintélé’s mayor is seeking Senate support to line up partners for SIIV.IA, an African cities innovation summit planned for March 2027. Wildlife Tech & Enforcement: Seven people are set to appear in Ewo, Cuvette-Ouest, in a leopard-skin trophy case, highlighting ongoing wildlife crime enforcement.

Ebola Response in Congo: Hospitals in North Kivu’s Butembo are overwhelmed as Ebola cases surge, with MSF warning that patients can’t find beds even as new treatment centres open. AI for Public Health: Turkish researchers are building a smartphone AI app to identify tick species from photos, aiming to flag ticks linked to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. UN Pandemic Preparedness: At the UN General Assembly, leaders and health officials pushed pandemic preparedness back onto the agenda, citing the risk of another outbreak as Ebola spreads in Congo. Energy & Mining Power Link: The US Trade and Development Agency will fund a feasibility study for hydropower and grid upgrades in Congo’s Lualaba to power mining tied to the Lobito Corridor, targeting electricity for millions. Local Tech & Innovation: Kintélé is seeking Senate support to back SIIV.IA, an African cities innovation summit planned for March 2027, focused on health, sanitation, education and mobility. Health System Strain in Brazzaville: A Brazzaville editorial points to costly care and fragile hospitals as reasons death feels “ordinary,” with families struggling to pay for consultations, medicines and tests.

Ebola Surge in Congo: North Kivu’s Kitatumba Ebola centre is at full capacity as cases spike again, with new treatment sites opening but patients arriving too ill for care. AI for Health & Agriculture: Turkish researchers are building a smartphone AI app to identify tick species and flag those linked to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, aiming for low-cost field use. UN Pandemic Planning: At the UN General Assembly, leaders pushed pandemic preparedness back onto the agenda, warning that another outbreak could still overwhelm systems. Local Innovation Summit Push: Kintélé’s mayor is lobbying Congo’s Senate to secure partners for SIIV.IA, an African cities innovation summit planned for March 2027. Power for Mining & People: The US USTDA is funding a feasibility study for hydropower and grid upgrades in Congo’s Lualaba and Zambia’s North-Western Province to support the Lobito Corridor and millions of residents. Wildlife Crime in Cuvette-Ouest: Seven people face court in Ewo over alleged leopard-skin trophies, with proceedings focused on pleadings and submissions.